Pivotable Flap Dispensing Opening for Loose Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions for loose objects, such as chewing gums or pharmaceuticals, lack a tamper-evident opening mechanism that prevents objects from getting stuck in corners and allows for gradual dispensing, especially when the opening is not adjacent to an edge.
Innovation Solution
A box design featuring a tab formed by a weakening line that breaks to create a pivotable flap, preventing objects from getting trapped and allowing for controlled dispensing, with a breadth parallel to the attachment line and height perpendicular to it, ensuring objects are dispensed without getting caught in corners, and incorporating a telescoping inner and outer casing for tamper evidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispensing opening is placed adjacent to the edge between the bottom panel and the front or back wall, then objects can be dispensed, but objects get stuck in the angle between the bottom panel and the front or back wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fourth wall (rear wall) to create a three-dimensional dispensing chamber, moving the dispensing opening away from the problematic two-dimensional edge angle between bottom panel and front/back wall. This dimensional expansion allows the opening to be positioned on the rear wall where objects can fall freely into the dispensing area without getting trapped in corners.
2Device complexity
If the front or back wall fully coincides with the edge of the dispensing opening, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to control the number of objects dispensed and gradual dispensing action is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wall structure by introducing a rear wall that is offset from the front wall, creating distinct zones within the dispensing chamber. The rear wall contains the dispensing opening while the front wall remains separate, allowing controlled gradual dispensing as objects fall from the rear opening to the front dispensing area. This segmentation enables precise control over the dispensing rate and number of objects released.
3Reliability
If a score line is used to create a non-reversible opening, then tamper evidence is assured, but the opening cannot be gradually opened for controlled dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static, irreversible score line with a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the closure panel to pivot between closed and open positions. The hinge maintains the tamper-evident sealed state when closed while enabling controlled gradual opening to any degree, allowing users to dispense objects one at a time or in small batches while preserving the ability to detect if the package has been tampered with.
4Ease of repair
If the top closure panel is hingedly connected to the front wall, then the opening can be reopened for resealing, but the dispensing opening must be placed at the edge which causes objects to get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the dispensing opening from the front wall edge to the rear wall, creating a three-dimensional dispensing chamber. This positional change in the fourth dimension (depth) allows the hinge connection on the front wall to function for resealing while the rear wall opening prevents objects from getting stuck in edge angles, as objects fall freely into the chamber from the rear opening.
Data Source
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AI summary
A box for a quantity of loose objects is provided with a dispensing opening that inhibits and preferably prevents objects from becoming caught within the box in the process of being dispensed. The box comprises walls enclosing a chamber for carrying a quantity of loose objects. A tab is defined, preferably by a weakening line, in a first wall of the box, such that the tab forms a flap when the weakening line is broken or the tab is otherwise separated from the first wall. Then the flap is hingedly attached to the first wall of the box by the aid of an attachment line between the ends of the weakening line. The flap is then pivotable into the chamber of the box after the weakening line has been broken. The tab has a breadth in a direction substantially parallel to the attachment line and a height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attachment line. The tab height from a free edge thereof to the attachment line is preferably longer than the distance between the attachment line and an edge between the first wall (in which the tab is defined) and a second wall to which the flap formed from the tab is pivoted. Thus, the flap blocks entrance of the objects into an area between the flap and the walls to which the flap is pivoted so that objects are not trapped within the box upon dispensing of the objects.